CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The area near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk may soon have a different look. Developers expect to break ground in September on a Hampton Inn near the corner of Harper Ave. and Canal Street.

According to the site plans, the hotel will be eight stories tall and have about 100 rooms.

Carolina Beach Mayor Pro Tem Steve Shuttleworth says it’s a sign that the town is open for business.

“We’re anticipating 40 fulltime jobs, and of course there will be a number of jobs during the construction process, which will be a 12- to 16-month process,” Shuttleworth said. “Long term 40 permanent jobs, and we’ll add several hundred thousand dollars to the tax rolls for property tax, and then add income tax and room occupancy tax. It’s going to be a benefit for not only Carolina Beach, but for New Hanover County as well.”

Developers initially announced plans early last year for the hotel with ten stories, but have scaled back.

MOUNT OLIVE, NC (AP) — A warrant has been issued for a Mount Olive woman accused of hitting and killing a toddler with her car in May and leaving the scene of the accident.

The N.C. Highway Patrol said Monday that 49-year-old Michelle Merritt of is charged with misdemeanor hit and run for the accident that killed 21-month-old Ismael Aleman. Her status wasn’t immediately known.

The patrol said Ismael was killed when he ran out into a road in front of his Duplin County home. Troopers said Merritt didn’t stop for the accident, although she said she stopped later to check her car for damage and continued driving after she didn’t see any.

A warrant also has been issued for the boy’s mother, Delmi Garcia. She’s charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

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